NEW BOARD CHAIR ELECTED AT VIU

Vancouver Island University has a new Chair and Vice-Chair leading its Board of Governors.

Ann Scott, a Courtenay resident and active community volunteer, has been elected Chair for a one-year term, while Nanaimo entrepreneur and VIU alumnus Allan Wiekenkamp was elected to the Vice-Chair position on the 15-member board.

Scott is a Chartered Accountant and Partner with Presley & Partners in Courtenay, and has served on VIU’s Board of Governors since her first appointment in 2008. She got involved with VIU’s governing body when her term on the board of North Island College came to an end, and she was approached by the late MLA Stan Hagen with the opportunity to continue serving as a volunteer in post-secondary education at VIU.

“I’ve always had an interest in education. I think it provides opportunities to people so they can support their families and grow,” says Scott, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Victoria and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. She is also an alumna of Vancouver Island University having successfully completed a Certificate in Business Management.

Highlights for Scott in her term on the Board so far have included the completion of the new Cowichan Campus, the establishment of the International Centre for Sturgeon Studies on the Nanaimo campus, and the Deep Bay Marine Field Station in Bowser.

Scott looks forward to the time when funds become available to continue the work set out in VIU’s five-year Capital Plan. “If funding comes along, we are ready.”

While planning and financial management are key to the roles on the Board of Governors, Scott doesn’t hesitate when asked what she enjoys most about the volunteer position.

“The part I love hands down is convocation. I share tears of joy, seeing the students walk across the stage. That for me is what it’s all about, the students and their achievements.”

Allan Wiekenkamp was appointed to the Board of Governors in January 2013, and enjoys serving the university where he spent the first year of his post-secondary education. Wiekenkamp returned home to Nanaimo three years ago with his wife and two young children to be closer to family and contribute to a vibrant community and burgeoning economic climate. A Chartered Accountant, CFP and TEP, Wiekenkamp is the president of Sum Consulting Limited, a Nanaimo-based consultancy firm specializing in financial services, and also sits on the board for Innovation Island. A career learner himself, he understands the significant educational and economic contributions of VIU to Vancouver Island.

“One of my objectives is to further assist the integration of VIU into the community, providing more educational opportunities for students and identifying industry partners for collaboration,” he says.

Community engagement was also a strong focus for outgoing Board Chair Mike Brown, whose first involvement with VIU came through chairing the Festival of Trees community fundraisers. Brown, a Nanaimo-based lawyer, went on to serve on the VIU Foundation Board, then on the Board of Governors for a six-year term.

“I really feel that this institution is a wonderful part of our community and I have a real passion for making sure that students succeed, because that’s what it’s all about,” says Brown, who finishes his term Dec. 31, 2013.

VIU President and Vice Chancellor Ralph Nilson offers his congratulations to the two new leaders on the Board of Governors, and also shares his appreciation for Brown’s contributions to VIU.

“We are fortunate to have Ann and Allan in these key leadership roles at VIU, joining a Board of highly skilled and dedicated people who have stepped forward to assume roles that are critical to the success of the University,” Nilson said. “I also commend Mike for his leadership and dedication to the vision for VIU that he has shown at every turn during his years serving both the Foundation and Board of Governors.

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Media Contact:


Shari Bishop Bowes, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University


P:250.740.6443 C: 250.618.1535 E: sharibishop.bowes@viu.ca T: @viunews